Wonder Women: Radical Manchester is a series of events by artists and organisations in Manchester between 3 March – 4 April 2013. It marks the centenary of an incident in which three ordinary Edwardian women turned vigilante, surprising guards at Manchester Art Gallery and smashing glass, causing a commotion in the fight for universal suffrage.
Annie Horniman is rightly regarded as the founder of the British repertory theatre movement, and it all began right here in Manchester. Using £25,000 of her family’s packet tea fortune, in 1908 she bought Manchester’s Gaiety Theatre, intent on bringing classics and new locally written plays to working class audiences. While in the city Annie became an instant celebrity, not only for her ideas but for her extrovert behaviour and way of dressing.
On Sun 24 March, Manchester Blue Badge Guide Jean Bailo will be dressing up as ‘Miss Horniman’ herself to lead this guided walk, where she’ll introduce us to her radical Manchester, telling tales of an exciting time when the world was changing fast and women were not afraid of taking charge.
The event concludes with a screening at Cornerhouse of David Lean’s Hobson’s Choice. Written by Harold Brighouse, one of the playwrights Annie Horniman championed during her time at the Gaiety, Hobson’s Choice is rightly regarded today as a classic of 20th century British cinema.
The walk sets off from Manchester Visitor Information Centre at 12:00noon and is followed by the film screening at 14:00 at Cornerhouse. Book tickets online or call the Cornerhouse Box Office on 0161 200 1500.
This event is now sold out however tickets are still available for the screening of Hobson’s Choice.